Shopping for a ceiling fan takes patience.
Ceiling fans have multiple benefits, including stirring up breezes in the summer and forcing warm air downward in the winter. Running a ceiling fan during the winter can save heating energy. In addition, a ceiling fan fixture can bring character to a room, whether it is a living room, kitchen, bedroom or even a garage or porch. However, purchasing a ceiling fan that is suitable for a particular room requires attention to detail.
Instructions
1. Decide on your budget. As you shop for a ceiling fan, stick to it.
2. Determine whether you need a 42-inch fan, designed for smaller rooms that are about 150 square feet or under, or a 52-inch fan for larger rooms that are about 400 square feet and under. The 52-inch fan typically is appropriate for most rooms. Make sure the size of the fan does not look out of place aesthetically in your room. Also, note that smaller fans run faster and thus are more prone to producing noise. In addition, smaller fans must work harder to cover bigger areas.
3. Look for ceiling fans that have stack motors, which are powerful, efficient and quiet. Although some direct-drive motors also can be good quality, others can be extremely cheap, but you will not go wrong with a stack motor. The motor is the most important component of a fan to consider when shopping, as the best motor will move the most air quietly.
4. Measure the distance between your floor and the ceiling in the space you would like to install a fan. Ideally, fan blades should be no less than 7 feet from the floor. In addition, choose fan blades that are solid multi-ply furniture grade wood and have multiple coats of lacquer or are brass-plated, which points to durability. Most residential fans have four to five blades, which should be adequate for moving air.
5. Examine the features of your chosen ceiling fans. For example, decide whether you want a fan that has a built-in three-speed pull-chain control or a fan that has a reverse switch built into the fan body. Some fans are controlled by a pull-chain while the light is controlled by a wall switch, or vice versa. Also, inquire about which companies offer fans with remote speed and light control options, which allow you to control them using a wall-mounted or handheld unit.
6. Search for a fan color that matches the d cor of the space in which you want to install the fan. In addition, check the warranty to make sure it not only covers the motor but also other parts that could fail, such as the switches and other electronics.
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